Child Development by Doherty, Jonathan -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Contents List of figures and tables Guided tour Preface Acknowledgements Publisher’s acknowledgements Part 1 Introducing Child Development

Chapter 1 Issues in Child Development

Introduction Defining child development

What is child development? Terms of development Stages of development Domains of development

A history of child development

The beginnings of child development The scientific study of child development Cross-cultural contexts of childhood

Principles of child development

Why is the study of child development important? Optimising children’s development and learning Adopting a framework to develop personal principles Applying principles of child development

Key questions and themes in child development

Is development a continuous process or one of stages? What roles do heredity and training play? How important are individual differences and situational factors? Do children play active or passive roles in their own development? What is the relationship between the different areas of development?

Conclusion Summary Table Going further

Chapter 2 Theories of Child Development

Introduction The purpose of theory

What is theory? The evaluation of theories

Theoretical approaches in child development

Learning theories Cognitive theories Psychoanalytic theories Ecological theories Biological theories Comparing the five theoretical approaches

Theory into practice

Implications of theory for educators, carers and parents Alternative ‘new’ perspectives Theories of spiritual development Final thoughts on theory in the study of child development

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 3 Research Methods

Introduction Researching children

Studying children in school, day-care and family settings Research approaches – paradigms

Research methods

Experimental methods Correlation methods Surveys Case studies Reports from narrative Observations in context Psychophysical methods

Doing ethical research

Research designs Cross-cultural research Ethical considerations when studying children The case for informed practice

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 4 Nature and Nurture

Introduction Genetic foundations

Our unique beginnings The genetic code Chromosomes and genes Using the human genome

Heredity

Genotypes and phenotypes Dominant and recessive genes More about X and Y chromosomes Behaviour genetics Heritability Genetic and chromosome abnormalities Down’s Syndrome

Environmental foundations

A variety of contexts for development Interaction of heredity with the environment Twins Twin studies The scope and types of interaction

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Part 2 Early and Physical Development

Chapter 5 Prenatal Development

Introduction Conditions for development

Growth in the womb The external environment

Threats to development

Maternal diseases Drugs Environmental teratogens Maternal characteristics

Early cognitive development

Prenatal brain development Foetal behaviour and learning

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 6 Neonatal Behaviour and Learning

Introduction Childbirth The characteristics and capabilities of newborns

Sensory capabilities Primitive reflexes Organised activity Assessing newborns’ capabilities and states

A post-natal brain built for learning

Cerebral composition Cerebral processes Critical periods and brain plasticity

Early learning

Classical conditioning Operant conditioning Observational learning

The importance of early experiences Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 7 The Body and Physical Growth

Introduction General physical development

Physical growth changes in childhood Individual and cultural differences Three factors influencing physical development Childhood obesity

Theories of motor development

Biological-maturation perspective Information-processing perspective Ecological perspective – dynamic systems theory Linking motor and cognitive performance

Motor development viewed as a staged model

Phases of motor development Motor milestones The development of gross and fine motor skills Implications of physical development on motor performance

Factors influencing motor development

The importance of play The influence of PE and school sport

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 8 Sensory and Perceptual Development

Introduction The science of perception

What is perception and why do we need it? Theories of perception Researching perception

Making connections

Connecting sensory and perceptual development The sensory perceptions Intermodal co-ordination Perceptual-motor development

Implications for learning

Brain Gym

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Part 3 Cognitive and Social Development

Chapter 9 Cognitive Development

Introduction Understanding cognition Three approaches to cognitive development

Piaget’s cognitive-developmental theory Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory Information-processing theories of cognitive development General summary of all three approaches

The nature of intelligence Measuring intelligence – scales and tests Contemporary theories of intelligence

Is intelligence genetically determined or influenced by the environment? How does intelligence influence academic performance? Is intelligence fixed or does it change over time?

Developing intelligence Giftedness, talent and creativity

Giftedness Talent Creativity

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 10 Language Development

Introduction What is language and why is it so important?

Non-verbal communication Four components of language

Theories of language acquisition

Is language innate or learned? Language and the maturing brain

The development of language

The sequence of language development When things go wrong with language

Language development – different contexts and different forms

Bilingualism: learning and speaking two languages Literacy (reading and writing) The five elements of reading

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 11 Emotions and Personality

Introduction Understanding emotions

Theoretical approaches to understanding emotions Expressing emotions The development of emotions Emotional knowledge and understanding the emotions of others Social referencing Social cognition

Attachment

Theories of attachment Early attachment and its consequences What are the factors that influence attachment? Judging the quality of attachment When things go wrong with attachment Child-care and its influence on attachment

Personality

Children’s personalities and the ‘Big Five’ Temperament and personality Linking temperament and social context Linking temperament and learning styles

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

Chapter 12 The Social and Moral World of the Child

Introduction Human sociability and the need for nexus

The early social world of the child – first relationships Children’s play and social experiences Self and self-concept Self-esteem Understanding others

Social identity and influence

Theories of social identity The social influence of the family The social influence of peers The social influence of schools and the media

Moral development: right or wrong?

Theories of moral development Pro- and antisocial behaviours Promoting prosocial behaviour in schools Aggressive behaviour in children

Conclusion Summary Table Going further Useful websites

References Glossary Index

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